In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives a most mysterious warning and commandment that is not explained afterward. We read in Matthew 7:6: “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”
This appeal should be examined so that we may avoid the sorrowful consequences Christ also describes.
Love and friendship involve beautiful qualities of the soul that are pleasant for a converted person to possess and express toward others. Meekness, innocence, trust, simplicity, kindness, and generosity all flow from a loving heart and bring joy to the soul when there is an opportunity to share these fruits.
Jesus experienced much. From His life experience in observing people, He gives us this remarkable warning.
“Give not” means that when you possess something, you should keep it to yourself.
That which is holy is something dedicated to God and rightfully belonging to Him. It must not be used for other purposes. When the Lord gives me Divine qualities of the soul, He also gives me wisdom so that I can handle this weapon and use it for its intended purpose. He gives understanding and leads me through life experiences to teach each of us to distinguish different types of people intuitively and understand when to speak and act and when to remain silent and leave.
A pearl represents the most valuable and extremely rare Heavenly treasure in the world. When you find it, you should sell everything to obtain it. I believe the message to Laodicea offers us precisely what can be called such a pearl.
Dogs and swine were animals that in Christ’s time, and partly in our own, gathered in packs when they had no owners. They lived near populated areas and fed upon human waste. At times, they also attacked people.
In our time, the idea of a dog has changed. It is associated with a kind household pet that loves its owner and brings joy through its faithfulness and unconditional love. Their affection and friendship often amaze us, and many human beings could learn from them. “But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee...” (Job 12:7).
But in ancient times, these animals produced fear and disgust because they were very dangerous.
Within the context of Scripture, this comparison points to a particular type of person among whom we are compelled to live.
One day, the counsel of Jesus that we are examining became completely clear to me when I personally encountered such people.
There was a period in my life when I changed jobs in 1999 and joined a construction company with two work crews. In the simplicity of my heart, I was open and joyfully shared my spiritual discoveries and blessings with these new people. But over time, incomprehensible things began happening.
One crew supervisor greatly enjoyed talking with me and asked many questions about spiritual and everyday matters. I gladly shared my knowledge and completed everything required in my work. Other coworkers warned me to be careful when communicating with this man, but I did not understand the problem. Over time, however, I began noticing that all my words, stories, and actions were passed on in distorted form. The company owner was friendly toward me at first. But as time passed, he began making many accusations and saying very strange things directly to my face about me and my work. I was amazed and could not understand what was happening. But when I began hearing my own words about myself repeated by my supervisor with a distorted meaning, I understood that this man loved rolling everything in the mud of his worldview and presenting all information to others in that form. He did this very convincingly, not from evil intentions but simply because he did not know how to act differently.
The second crew supervisor was friendly and not very communicative at first. Over time, however, he began venting his anger upon me and finding fault with everything. At times, the relationship became so tense that I felt as though I were on a battlefield. Eventually, the situation became physical, and I had to strike back, which I deeply regretted afterward. It was very painful to understand that I had allowed an evil spirit to take control of me and perform the service of resolving every problem by a quick method. But I loved Jesus and wanted to be an exemplary Christian. I could not act according to the flesh because I understood that this would bring me great suffering and torment of conscience.
While working among such people, I came to understand for myself who the dogs and swine are and how cautious we must be when communicating with them.
I take no pleasure in calling other people by these names. Yet among them are people with such a character, and we do not have the power to change this ourselves. I, too, was like this when I did not know Christ. Even now, I never speak about what I did during my godless life. When you possess love, so many useful subjects and fascinating revelations become available that there is no reason to return to filth and a dog’s vomit (2 Peter 2:22).
Whom did Jesus mean when He gave us His counsel? Scripture contains a description of such people. We read in Psalm 22:16: “For dogs have compassed Me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed Me: they pierced My hands and My feet.”
The prophetic events that Christ would experience are then described further. We know who stood at Calvary that day and who shouted the sentence against the Son of God.
Who are these animals today? How can they be identified? They may be the people closest and dearest to me. They may be members of my family, and I myself may be the same. The Lord’s task is to purify me and then teach me to distinguish the clean from the unclean, see the contrast between darkness and light, and choose what is better.
This raises the question of how to love when such limitations exist and how to be a friend when such people surround us. A little earlier, Jesus answered this question as well. We read in Matthew 5:44: “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Do you see the expression of love in this commandment? I see it and experience it.
For me, not giving that which is holy and not casting pearls means that I must be very cautious in communication, control every word, avoid controversial subjects, and remain silent concerning areas that will provoke rage or evil speaking. At the same time, it is important to remain a loving friend and speak through the language of good deeds and polite expressions. Love teaches this.
I will not change the world, but I can show it God’s love and my friendliness in response to attacks. The Lord gives me strength to do this.
The Lord teaches us that we are His witnesses. How fascinating it is to be a witness of God’s love! I allow the Holy Spirit to live within me and form God’s character traits. I become someone through whom He can reveal the Lord’s kindness and power to the world. I come to know things that were great and hidden from me, and I enter the battle, allowing God to go before me and gain the victory.
I begin to understand with my heart that there is a Divine Family Who has become mine and opened Their arms to me in order to make me Their son forever and live with me eternally.
Love is God’s presence within my heart, bringing joy, happiness, and peace.
“Give not.” This also deserves our attention.
Bible Verses for Reflection
Psalm 22:18; Proverbs 20:19; 22:24; 24:21; Isaiah 56:10–12; Revelation 22:15; Proverbs 26:11; 2 Peter 2:22.